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Tuesday, 2 December 2014

Turmeric Powder

Turmeric Powder

Turmeric powder is a bright yellow powder made by dry grinding of mature turmeric rhizomes.

The use of turmeric for coloring and flavoring food, for cosmetic purposes and for medicinal properties dates back to the ancient Vedic culture of India. Used in almost all Indian curries, this spice has almost no calories and zero cholesterol. It is rich in dietary fiber, iron, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.

Health Benefits of Turmeric:

The wide range of turmeric health benefits come mainly from its main ingredient, curcumin. This widely researched component of turmeric is highly therapeutic and is used in various drugs and pharmaceutics mainly because of its immunity boosting and anti-oxidant properties.

Boosting Immunity – Curcumin has a huge therapeutic value and boosting immunity is one of the most important properties of curcumin.

Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Property – Free radical causing oxidative damage of DNA and proteins are associated with a variety of chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Curcumin plays an important role in curbing these conditions. Curcumin down-regulates certain inflammatory transcription factors such as kappaB, enzymes such as cyclooxygenase 2 and 5 lipoxygenase, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 and interleukin 6 and hinders the development of these diseases.

Curcumin Protects Against Certain Liver Diseases as is evident from various studies conducted in rats. For example, a Mexican study showed that curcumin prevents acute liver damage by at least two mechanisms: acting as an antioxidant and by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation and thus production of proinflammatory cytokines. Another study published in the Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology journal revealed that curcumin was effective in preventing and reversing cirrhosis, probably by its ability of reducing TGF-beta expression. These data suggest that curcumin might be an effective antifibrotic and fibrolytic drug in the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases.

Turmeric Improves Rheumatoid Arthritis, according to a study by Chandran and Goel at Nirmala Medical Center, Kerala. The researchers also found that curcumin treatment was safe and did not relate with any adverse events.

Usage of Turmeric Powder

In India, turmeric is used in almost all curries and gravy dishes. It gives a rich color and a unique flavor to the food.

Turmeric is a well-known preservative. Scientists from Gujarat found that adding turmeric to paneer extends the shelf life of paneer up to 12 days.

Turmeric is a great pesticide. Sprinkle turmeric (powder) water near all the entry points of your house to ward of insects, ants, and termites.

Women in India use turmeric in skin products such as creams and body scrubs to boost the glow factor.

Drinking turmeric tea daily may well increase your life span, suggests Dr Andrew Weil. Adding one teaspoon of turmeric powder to 4 cups of boiling water, simmering it for 10 minutes and adding honey to taste can do the trick.

Side Effects of Turmeric

Turmeric can slow blood clotting and might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery.